Obituaries

August 4, 2018

Deacon James F. Schortgen, 76, of Hamler, died peacefully with his family at his side on August 4, 2018 at Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

He was born on February 3, 1942, to the late Florian and Emma (Dunzer) Schortgen in Bartlow Township, Henry County, Ohio. On July 20, 1960, he married Marilyn...

July 19, 2018

Carol Sue Baerlin age 76, of Malinta, died Thursday, July 19, 2018 at Vancrest of Holgate.

She was born February 2, 1942 to Arnold H. and Leota B. (Yaichner) Schuette.  Carol married Ronald Steven Baerlin.

She is survived by 5 children: Mark Burkhart, Connie (Paul) Ewing, Lenny Burkhart, Kenny (Jennifer) Burkhart and Beth (Jerry) Bowers;...

July 16, 2018

Donald F. Niese age 88, died in his Leipsic home Monday night surrounded by family.

His Legacy… He was born November 10, 1929 to Wilbert and Ardella (Warniment) Niese in Miller City.  Donald graduated from Malinta-Grelton High School in 1947 and enlisted in the United States Army.  On June...

June 22, 2018

Dorothy Smith 90, of Holgate, died Friday afternoon, June 22, 2018 at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born November 16, 1927 to John and Mamie (Harter) Herr.  On June 2, 1946 she married Virgil Smith.  Dorothy was a member of Emanuel Christian Church, New Bavaria.  She enjoyed...

June 6, 2018

Stephen “Steve” Baker age 58, died early Wednesday morning, June 6, 2018 in his rural Hamler home after a year battling cancer.

His Legacy… He was born February 16, 1960 to Robert and Gladys (Sanford) Baker in Defiance.  He graduated from Holgate High School and then received his bachelors...

May 29, 2018

Madge Irene Nartker age 95, of Napoleon, died Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Genacross Lutheran Service, Napoleon.

Her Legacy… Madge was born the daughter of Edwin and Clara (Franz) Rettig on March 11, 1923 in Holgate.  She graduated from Florida High School in 1941.  She married J. Richard Nartker...

May 27, 2018

Jeanette M. Brink age 93, of Holgate, died Sunday evening at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… Jeanette was born May 10, 1925 to John and Esther (Schlotterbeck) Eis in Holgate. She graduated from Holgate High School in 1943. On August 25, 1943, she married Byron Brink.  She loved being...

May 23, 2018

Harold P. Eitzman age 92, of Hamler, died Wednesday afternoon, May 23, 2018 at Vancrest of Holgate.

His Legacy… Harold was born January 25, 1926 to Fred and Frieda (Tietje) Eitzman in Flatrock Township.  He graduated from Florida High School.  Harold is a U.S. Army veteran serving time in...

May 18, 2018

James A. Baker age 66, of Las Vegas, NV, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Mission Pines Care Center, Las Vegas, NV.

Jim was born to Lester and Marilyn Baker on February 7, 1952 in Defiance, OH.  He was a 1970 graduate of Holgate High School and a 1982 graduate of the Concordia Theological...

May 10, 2018

Robert Lee Stacy age 45, of Napoleon, lost his battle with cancer and passed peacefully Thursday morning, May 10, 2018 in his parent’s home.

Robert was born April of 1973 and graduated from Napoleon High School and Four County Joint Vocational School in 1991. He was a welder by trade.  After graduation Robert...

May 6, 2018

Anthony Leonard age 70, died Sunday afternoon in his Holgate home.

His Legacy… He was born December 6, 1947 to Harry and Clara (Williamson) Leonard in Jeffersonville, IN.  He married Estella M. Casarez in Yuma, AZ.  He served in Vietnam and Dessert Storm with the USMC.  He was a...

May 4, 2018

Nova J. Greenler, age 98 of Holgate, passed away Friday, May 4, 2018, surrounded by her loving family.

Nova was born June 27, 1919, to Alvin and Helen (Hornung) Groll in New Bavaria. She graduated from Bowling Green State University (B.S.Ed.) on June 4, 1943. Later that same day Nova married Marion D....

May 2, 2018

Naomi “Jean” Kohl age 91, of Holgate, died Wednesday night at Vancrest of Holgate.

Her Legacy… She was born October 21, 1926 to Victor L. and Rema E. (Burson) Snyder in Piqua, Ohio. She graduated from Findlay High School.  On April 24, 1949, she married Adrys W. Kohl.  Jean...

April 20, 2018

Edwin Vincent DeWitt age 95, formerly of Birch Run, MI, died April 20, 2018.

His Legacy… Ed was born February 3, 1923 to George Arthur and Easter Blanche (Chapel) DeWitt in Flint, MI. He graduated from Kearsley High School in 1943.  He served in WWII, where his duties included guarding General MacArthur’s headquarters. ...

April 13, 2018

Dorothy Lee Altman entered into eternal rest, surrounded by her family, on Friday, April 13, 2018.

Dorothy is survived by her children Michael (Patti) Altman of Napoleon, Rhonda (Paul) Hoffman of Michigan, Cindy (Ken) Grey of Perrysburg, Rick (Robin) Altman of Liberty Center, Candy Altman of New York, Melinda (Joe) Altman-Click of Napoleon,...

April 4, 2018

Ann L. (Casteel) Gladwell, 43, of Columbus Grove, died Wednesday morning, April 4, 2018 at the Bluffton Hospital.

Her Legacy… Ann was born December 1, 1974 to John and Nancy (Bell) Casteel in Lima.  She was a 1993 graduate of Leipsic High School.  On December 12, 1998 she married...

March 29, 2018

Ronnie Drewes, age 78, of Holgate, died Thursday morning, March 29, 2018 at the Henry County Hospital.

His Legacy … He was born January 29, 1940 to Fred and Laura (Meyer) Drewes in Napoleon. His life was spent in Henry County.  He attended Florida school.  On February 11, 1961...

March 26, 2018

Roger O. Grim, 81, passed away Monday, March 26th, 2018 at CHP Hospice Care, Defiance.  He was born on September 29th, 1936 to the late Otis and Tressa (Kinner) Grim.  He married Diana Damman on June 8th, 1963.  They lived on their family farm near Pleasant Bend.

Rog is survived by his wife...

March 26, 2018

Geraldine “Gerri” Houck age 96, of Holgate, died early Monday morning, March 26, 2018 in her daughter’s home surrounded by her entire family.

Her Legacy… She was born July 1, 1921 to Henry and Odelia Bensman in Miller City.  On August 27, 1949 she married John E. Houck.  She was a nurse’s aide...

March 11, 2018

Laura Carol Kestner age 59, died Sunday morning, March 11, 2018 in her Grelton home.

Her Legacy… She was born December 16, 1958 to John Schindler and Martha Vaughn in Napoleon.  On February 13, 1980 she married Thomas Kestner.  Laura was a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, and sister.  She was employed with...